Coyotes add depth with Vitale, Dubnyk

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Coyotes made their big offseason move before the free agency period started, trading for a playmaking center to replace the one they lost.

Once they could sign free agents, the Coyotes filled a couple of holes.

Arizona signed center Joe Vitale to a three-year contract and goalie Devan Dubnyk to a one-year deal on Tuesday, adding depth two days after trading for center Sam Gagner.

“This was pretty much what we hoped to get accomplished,” Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said.

Arizona initiated a buyout of Mike Ribeiro’s contract on Friday after last year’s big signee didn’t pan out in his one season in the desert.

The Coyotes quickly filled his spot, landing Gagner and right wing B.J. Crombeen on Sunday in a trade that sent a draft pick to Tampa Bay.

Adding Vitale gives Arizona a gritty faceoff specialist who can offset the loss of Jeff Halpern and possibly anchor the fourth line. Vitale spent his first four NHL seasons in Pittsburgh, scoring eight goals with 27 assists in 163 career games.

“We like the energy and physicality that he’s going to bring,” Maloney said. “We’re all about details. He’s got a lot we like.”

Arizona had little shot of re-signing backup goalie Thomas Greiss, who signed with Pittsburgh so he could have a chance at more playing time.

The Coyotes took a little bit of a risk in signing Dubnyk.

He was Edmonton’s starter to start last season, but was traded to Nashville and eventually ended up in Montreal’s system after being waived.

The Coyotes are hoping to resurrect his career behind goaltending coach Sean Burke, who had success with two other big goalies, Ilya Bryzgalov and current starter Mike Smith.